Page 88 of Demon's Desire
A ridiculously large bed with four tall posts, an ornate headboard, and a canopy of wispy rainbow cloth was situated to the left of the room’s center, surrounded by shaggy carpets and a sturdy trunk.
Art lined the walls, and a second seating area was nestled in the back corner, surrounded by books. Delicate wire sculptures hung from the ceiling by thin cables, and a large statue stood near the door.
“Damn, this is amazing.”
Onyx shut the door with a tentative smile. “I’m glad you like it. You’re only the second person I’ve let in here.”
“Second? Don’t break my heart.”
Onyx tipped his head back and laughed. “Sorry. It would have been a crime not to share my private art collection with Scott. If it makes you feel better, you’re the only lover I’ve let in here. The only mate.”
Shit, yeah, that’d do it. “I can live with that.”
“What a relief.” Onyx surveyed his space, turning serious again. “To answer your question, I’m not as worried about Luc as I was.” He snorted, like he couldn’t believe he’d said that. “Luc isn’t lying about demons wanting to kill him. I found out they want to kill all four of us. I think Luc was telling the truth when he asked for my help. Fuck, he might even be telling the truth about not hurting you.”
Onyx met Nico’s gaze like he was looking for reassurance.
Nico moved closer. “I think you’re right. You have every reason to be wary of Luc, but he gave your magic back. How can that be anything other than an olive branch?”
Onyx closed his eyes like he was in pain. “I hate him for tempting me to trust him again—but I can’t ignore it. I can’t lock him out when part of me longs to speak to him. I want to listen even if I feel like a fool for it.”
“Wanting to help your brother doesn’t make you a fool.”
“In the case of the Devil, it does.” Onyx gazed at Nico with a pained expression. “I can’t trust him again. It hurts too much. I don’t want him killed, but I can’t give him any more of me.”
Nico’s heart clenched. “What did he do to you, little butterfly?”
Onyx’s lashes fluttered, his voice breaking. “He left me.”
Nico cupped the back of Onyx’s neck securely, squeezing and stroking his thumb through the hair at Onyx’s nape. “I’m sorry.”
Onyx seemed to find strength in the touch. Vulnerability shone in his eyes, but he didn’t back down. “Luc was going to leave me behind in the Eternal Realm, even though I begged him not to go to Earth. I couldn’t stand how much it hurt, so I followed him. But he didn’t care. None of them cared. They still don’t.”
Onyx’s naked pain tore Nico to bits. “That’s why you fell?” To not be left behind.
“Yes. I was so fucking stupid. The biggest fool. I didn’t care about mates. I never even requested mine like the others did. I figured I’d want one eventually, but a mate wasn’teverything. I needed my brothers, and they were going to leave me.”
Onyx swallowed, blinking away the moisture gathering in his eyes. “Luc never acknowledged that I’d fallen for him. Nothing ever changed. He never cared. All he did was use my love for him to take advantage of me and get what he wanted. And I hate him. I hate how much I want him to care about me. I don’t want him dead, but I can’t trust him. He doesn’t get another chance. He’s wasted them all.”
Nico pulled Onyx close, his slight body trembling. Onyx’s hurt was so devastatingly simple. So understandable.
What would thousands of years of rejection do to someone? Make them guarded. Push them to test everyone. Show them they could never count on anyone to put them first. Sharpen all their edges into defensive spines.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Nico murmured into Onyx’s silk-soft hair.
Onyx’s breath caught and he gripped Nico’s T-shirt like he couldn’t help clinging.
“I’m not leaving you behind, and you can’t push me away.”
“That scares me. I don’t know why. I want you to stay but it freaks me out that you might. I can’t explain it.”
“You don’t have to explain. All you have to do is tell me how you feel.”
“Is that all?” A laugh ghosted past Onyx’s lips. “Even when it’s not logical? Like how I want to be taken care of. Me, an immortal. Deep down all I want is someone to protect me, but from what? It’s silly. Is that what you want me to tell you?”
“Yes. You can tell me anything. It doesn’t matter if it make sense. Everyone wants to be cared for. Have their heart protected. And I’ve got you, Onyx. I’m here. You can be scared of that and it won’t change a thing.”
Onyx’s cheeks flushed red, then lavender. Hishorns appeared, blooming with color. “Can you force me to feel it? Make me believe?”
